Viking certifies turbine conversion for 21st Century Otter

Transport Canada has issued an STC to Viking Air Limited of Victoria, British Columbia, for the installation of the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 or PT6A-35 turbo prop engine on the DHC-3 Otter.

The original de Havilland factory Otter’s Pratt & Whitney Wasp R-1340 engine is replaced with the higher 750 horsepower turbine engine with Hartzell three-blade full feathering reversible propeller. In addition to the new engine and prop configuration, the modification encompasses improvements to the design with new composite cowls, incorporation of a gross weight increase to 9,000 lbs., optional panoramic windows and optional extended range fuel tank. The modification involved an update to virtually every major system of the aircraft, company officials note.

The Viking Turbo Otter is approved for operation on wheels, skis, amphibious or straight floats, under both day and night VFR and IFR conditions.

Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland heritage line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7).